60 YEARS OF THE ROCK ERA. This update: 1976. 

 

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60 YEARS OF

ROCK

(1955-2015)

1976

     

  

  

-Howlin' Wolf dies.

-The Beatles are offered $30 million to perform live again.

-Florence Ballard, a founding members of the Supremes, dies.

-A compilation album by The Eagles becomes the first LP to be certified platinum.

-All 22 UK Beatles singles are re-released along with "Yesterday". All 23 chart there.

-Genesis embarks on its 1st tour without Peter Gabriel. Drummer Phil Collins is now on lead. 

-Johnny Taylor's "Disco Lady" sells 2 million copies & becomes the 1st platinum single.

-Bruce Springsteen jumps the fence at Graceland in a vain attempt to meet Elvis Presley.

"Fernando" becomes Australia's longest running & best selling single.

-The Clash debut in London.

-Led Zeppelin's film 'The Song Remains the Same' premieres in London.

-A shouting Jerry Lee Lewis is arrested outside Graceland.

- The Band's 'The Last Waltz' is held in San Francisco.

   

    

  

  

By 1976, sales for recorded music had grown so much, that platinum discs were introduced to recognize units sold in the millions. Disco was a runaway success. Many acts were adding elements of disco to their music in order to attract wider appeal. Donna Summer dropped her sultry 1st disco smash: "Love To Love You Baby". Heavy metal and hard rock maintained its popularity. Classic 70s albums unleashed during the year included: 'Silk Degrees' by Boz Scaggs, ELO's 'A New World Record' and Stevie Wonder's opus 'Songs In The Key Of Life'. New sounds reached the mainstream, with Bob Marley (reggae) and emerging punk acts The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Patti Smith and The Ramones.